Connecticut western news., 1887-01-12
A SWORD DUEL.

A SWORD DUEL.
 A Hard Fight for the Richest
 Heiress in Virginia.
 The Young Lady's Laughing Suggestion
 Adopted by Her Two Lovers. An Alexandria (Va.) letter to the New York Sun notes the fact that Mrs. Henry Nevil, nee Dulaney, the richess heircss in Virginia, has taken up her residence in this aristocratic old town," and con- tinues as follows: ''She is often seen on the street with her husband, the handsome young Irishman who won her at the point of the sword, and the pair. are much admired. Their presence here has set people to talking about the fa- nous sword contest in which Nevil showed himself to be the finest fencer in the South, and by which he won his bride and great wealth. It occurred some ten years ago. Mrs. Dulaney was then the belle of this part of Virginia. Her father, Colonel Hal Dulaney, was worth $5, 900, 900, and the daughter was to inherit half of the amount. As she was beautiful as we'll as wealthy, there were many suitors for her hand. Among them, the two most favored were Q young Euglishman named Randolph, who was 1 an officer in her Majesty's Household Guards, and Henry Nevil, an Irishman who had fought in the French and Aus 1 trian armies. Both were handsome, manly fellows, though not burdened l with riches, and for time their chances seemed about equal.
 It soon became evident that they hated each other very cordially, and all tide water Virginia eagerly awaited the re- suit of the contest for Miss Dulaney's smiles. As both were very high tenn pered and familiar with the use of wea pons, the lady had hard time to keep them from venting their hatred in a bloody way. Still, with a girls coquet- ry, she led them on, showing no decided preference for either, and sometimes ap- bearing indifferent to both. One evening the three were in the drawingroom to- gether. The rivals addressed each other only when absolutely necessary, and then with smothered anger in their tones.
 Finally Miss Dulaney got tired of that sort of thing, and said laughingly: s'Why don't you go out and have a good fight, instead of snariing at each other alwayss'
 I've will do it." they exclaimed in one breath. The lady continued the conversation in bantering tone, moi dreaming that the men were in earnest. Next day, however, she discovered that they had actually adopted her laughing suggestion.
 When the rivals left the house they al once arranged the preliminaries for ]. duel. A Ameeting place was selected just off the Dulaney estate, the time fixed upon was the following morning at sun rise, and swords were chosen as weapons. At the time agreed upon they met, witt their seconds, and there cnsued tho most bloody duel that has ever taken place on Virginia soil. It was evident from the beginning that Nevil was tho more expert swordman on account of hi. experience in the French army. Ran dolph handled the sword we'll, too, but lacked the grace and facility of move ment of his opponent. Moreover, tht Englishman was very much excited As they faced each other they exchanged glances, which meant plainly a fight to the death. Then they set to, Randolph striking fiercely and wildly at his enemy, while the Irishman cooly took the defence, parrying his blows with ease and await ing his chance for thrust. It came a, last, and he neatly removed large piece of Randolph's ear. The pain seemed te madden the Englishman, and he bore down upon his enemy with indiscrcet desperation. Nevil quietly got in anoth. CT strike, which mutilated the English mans nose. The rest of the fig.t was Tough and tumble on Randolph's part, while Ncvil not for moment lost his presence of mind. He finally disabled the Englishman by getting in a thrust on his sword arm. He did this merely to prevent downright murder, for he knew he could take Randolph apart piece by piece without injury to himself, and he knew, too, Randolph would die rather than yield as long as he could hold a sword.
 Miss Dulaney was sorry for Randolph's misfortune, but she smiled more than ever on Nevll whom, it turned out. she had loved all the time. Three months afterward Randolph rose from his sick bed disfgurcd for life, left the country and has not been heard from since. About the same time Nevil and Miss Du. laney were married.
 How to Fix George.
 Bachelor Uncle. An, my dear, yor look as pretty as picture. I don't